Sanitary dining table service



May 1, 1934. G. GRossE'N 1,956,572

SANITARY DINING TABLE SERVICE Filed Oct. 30. 1931 ,0 wc a PRWHH" 'l MA'rc Es '"4 me/nto@ Patented May 1, 1934 UNITED STATES CFFICE Gottlieb Grossen,

Application I October 30,

19v Claims.

This invention relates to containers, and especially to a container which constitutes a sanitary dining table service. 1t further relates to an improvedY container which holds silverware,

l napkin and other accessories when closed, and which when unfolded serves as a pad or mat on which hot dishes are placed forprotecting the table from the effects of heat therefrom.

One object of this invention is toV provide a i device of this character which embodies certain improvements on my device which is described and claimed in my patent application, Serial No. 384,575, filed Aug. 9, 1929, Patent No. 1,833,419, Nov. 24, 1931.

Another object is to provide a device Yof this character which also includes a Very effective means of advertising merchandise, places of business, etc., and which serves to entertain patrons of hotels, restaurants, cafeteras, etc., while they are waiting to be served with food.

Another object is to provide a sanitary table service which not only encloses silverware and a napkin, but which also has attached thereto a holder or folder of matches and a package of toothpicks in convenient position for use while the device is being used as a mat or pad for the dishes of food.

Another object is to provide, in a device of this character, a means to cooperate With one of the attached containers (of matches or toothpicks), for fastening the container closed in such relation that it can be quickly and easily opened by a patron who is to use the silverware, napkin, and other articles of the container.

Referring again to my former patent application, it is here explained that the container is primarily intended to protect the contents thereof from dust, flies, possible handling by other patrons, at the same time, to display the menu advertising matter in an attractive manner, and to add attractiveness to the table containing these containers. These same objects are obtained in the present invention, by a device which isA less complex and less expensive.

Other objects and important features are pointed out or implied in the following details of description, in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View of the device open and in condition and position to be used as a pad or mat and as a dispensing device for matches and toothpicks;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View, the section being taken along thev line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a central sectional View along the Washington, D. C.

1931, Serial No. 572,061

line 3-4 of Figure 1, the upper part of one of the angular end Walls being broken olf;

Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged central sectional View along the line 3 4 of Figure 1 when the device is closed; and 60 Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged detail view along the line 5-5 of Figure 1, but showing the addition of a thi-n sheet of transparent material such as cellophane or the like.

Referring to the drawing in detail, in which similar reference characters correspond to similar parts in the several views, the invention is now described in detail as follows:

A sheet of flexible and preferably water-proof material 6 forms the outer cover and the base on which is pasted, cemented, glued or otherwise secured, a number of alternately wide and narrow strips, 7 and 8, respectively, in addition to two end strips 7a and 7b which are relatively Wide and have their corners beveled at about to the end and lateral edges; also an intermediate strip 'Zc which will presently be described.

These alternately wide and narrow strips '7, 7a, 7b, '7c and 8 are preferably of cardboard and are spaced from each other at 9, the spaces 9 being relatively narrow, but wide enough to permit folding of the pad or mat or closing of thev receptacle without resistence of these strips or panels.

The edges of the flexible sheet 6 are folded over the edges of the end panels and over the ends of the intermediate panels, as indicated at 6a, and are glued or cemented to the panels so that the edges and ends of the latter are concealed and protected.

The panel '7c has its ends bifurcated at 7d, the furcations thereof being inwardly convergent at an angle of about to one another. Angular end Wall members 10 are formed of relatively thick and rigid sheet material, preferably the same as that of the panels, and have inwardly converging edges which t snugly between the furcations at '7d while their outer edges are glued or otherwise secured to the inwardly turned edges 6a. Fold-lines 10a may be provided by scoring or perforating the parts 10, so that they are substantially hinged and can be turned through an angle of 9 from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4; or if preferred the end Walls may extend only a slight distance under the inwardly turned edge and be glued 0r cemented thereto, so that this flexible edge forms the hinge. When in the position shown in Figure 1, 110

the upper surfaces of these end wall members 10 are level with the upper surfaces of the panels 7, 8, etc.; but when turned at right angles to these panels, they form end walls for the receptacle formed by the panels; that is, by folding the mat or pad along the spaces 9 so that the ends of the panels rest against the edges of the wall members 10, and so that the notches 11 engage with the ends 10b, and so that the panel 7a is overlapped by one of the panels 7 while the panel 7b overlaps the panel 7c, the receptacle is formed as shown in Figure 4, the cross sectional shape thereof being somewhat triangular, and somewhat hexagonal. In other words, the triangular relationof the side panels to one another give a triangular outline to the receptacle, while the narrow panels form additional sides which give a somewhat hexagonal appearance to the receptacle. This unusual shape which might be termed tri-hexagonal naturally attracts attention of the patrons, at the same time presenting seven (7) visible surfaces in angular relation to one another; that is, the narrow top surface, two wide side surfaces which are upwardly and inwardly inclined, two narrow vertical surfaces, and two angular end wall surfaces which are tri-hexagonal. Each of these surfaces, as well as the under and inner surfaces, may contain a separate advertisement or printed display, and these indicia or advertisements face in seven different directions, so that they can be seen by a number of patrons at the same time. Moreover, any one of these sides can be used as the bottom, so that while a certain advertisement on one of such devices is hidden, the same advertisement on a similar one of said devices may be displayed because of different sides being used as the bottom for different devices of the same kind which bear the same set of printed indicia, advertisements, picture display, etc. When the receptacle is opened, the outer advertisements and other printed display are hidden, but others come into View as the device is unfolded, such words being printed upon the inner surfaces of the panels. Inasmuch as such printed display can be varied to an indefinite extent, it is deemed unnecessary to show the same in detail, but it may here be explained that the letters S. 'I'. S. may be applied as a trade-mark on the device, being an abbreviation for sanitary table service.

A semi-circular slit 13 is provided in the central part of the panel 7c, the arcuate slot being cut entirely through the outer sheet and panel 7c, to form a tongue 14 for protecting the napkin and silverware against Contact with a match container 15 which contains paper-stem matches or the like. This match container has one end glued or otherwise secured on the panel 7b, as indicated at 16, while its other end is free to be passed through the slit or slot 13 (when the tongue 14 is bent inward) so as to combine with the edge ofthe slot for holding or fastening the receptacle closed. Inasmuch, however, as the `panels and the folder 15 are yieldable, the receptacle can easily be opened by pulling the panel 17 and its attached match container from the slit or slot 13; and when the panels are moved out of engagement with the end walls 10, the latter tend to gravitate into the bifurcated ends of the panel 7c where they are fitted so snugly that they combine with the panels to form a substantially level surface on which the dishes are held; and likewise, the tongue 14 ts snugly against the adjacent edge of the slit 13.

At 17, two of the narrow strips or panels 8 have angular recesses which receive angular parts of the end wall members 10. When the device is spread as in Figure 1, the spaces at 17, between the parts 10 and edges of the angular notches, permit the notched strips 8 to be moved into angular relation with the strip or panel 7c, and in thus moving or raising these notched strips, the adjacent parts of the outer cover or base 6 press against the parts 10c and thereby automatically raise the parts 10b out from between the furcations of the panel 7c, so the parts 10b can then be easily grasped for moving the end walls 10 into position for closing the ends of the receptacle when the panels are folded over one another as in Figure 4.

At 18, I have indicated a folder or package which may contain toothpicks, and a pencil for marking the menu card. r1`he details of this receptacle 18 are not here explained, as any appropriate form may be used, and may carry articles others than those mentioned.

Referring now to Figure 5, it will be seen that a sheet 19 is added, and this sheet is preferably of the nature of cellophane, being transparent and water-proof, so that the advertising matteror other printed indicia can be seen therethrough and protected thereby, and so that the interior of the device can be cleansed with a damp cloth or the like, thereby enablingV these devices to be used over and over again before they become dingy and unsightly. However, for receptacles that are to be used only once, the transparent water-proof lining may be omitted, and the outer cover 6 need not be water-proof, but'must be of material that is quite flexible and not easily torn. In the embodiment of the invention which includes the transparent lining, the inwardly turned edges 6a of the flexible cover 6 are glued or otherwise secured to the margin of the transparent lining, instead of being secured to the panels, and the intermediate part of the transparent lining is free from the panels. The transparent lining may be gored or creased along the spaces 9 so as to easily and evenly fold or bend along these lines. The transparent sheet or lining extends under the end wall members 10, so it does not interfere with swinging these wall members on their hinges; and such lining being very thin, is depressible into the joint between the end walls and the furcations of the panel 7c. Moreover, the transparent lining extends under the folders or containers 15 and 18, so as not to interfere with access to them. However, the transparent lining covers the slit 13, being entirely imperforate, so it prevents dust and other contaminating matter from passing through the slit or slot 13 to the interior of container.

For obvious sanitary reasons, the toothpicks n are preferably sterilized and wrapped before they are placed in the container 18.

Although I have described these embodiments of my invention specifically, I have no intention of limiting my patent protection to these exact details of construction, arrangement and materials, for numerous changes may be made within the scope of the inventive ideas as implied and claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A sanitary dining table service consisting of a flexible sheet, panels of relatively rigid sheet material secured on said flexible sheet, in spaced relation to one another to permit bending of the flexible sheet along the edges of the panels, and end wall members each having one edge hinged to one of two opposite edges of said iiexible sheet and having all other edges free so these wall menibers are each independently adapted to be turned outward through 90 for combining with the ends of said panels for forming a receptacle which can be unfolded and spread by turning the end wall members inward so as to form a flat table mat or pad, means being provided at the ends of one of said panels to engage with each end wall at the opposite edge from its hinge and thereby to movably secure the end walls in proper position to close the ends of the receptacle.

2. A sanitary dining table service including a ileXible sheet, relatively Wide narrow strips arranged in alternate relation and in spaced relation to one another upon he ilexible strip and secured thereto, one of the relatively wide strips having bifurcated ends, angular end members hinged at opposite edges of the flexible sheet and adapted to t in the respective bifurcated ends and to be swung therefrom through 900 so as to combine with the ends of the wide and narrow panels so as to form a receptacle having relatively wide and narrow sides, substantially as shown.

3. The structure defined by claim 1, one of said panels having bifurcated ends, said end walls being adapted to t snugly between the turcations of the bifurcated ends, means being provided to automatically lift the end Walls from between the furcations in flexing the flexible sheet along the spaces between the panels.

4. The structure defined by claim l, one of said panels having a slit therethrough, a exible holder for matches or the like, holder having one end united with one of said panels and having its other end free and adapted to be passed through said slit so as to serve the additional function of fastening the container in its closed relation, substantially as shown.

5, The structure deiined by claim 1, a cornbined fastening device and holder for matches or the like united with the inner surface of a panel at one end of the unfolded container, and means united with another one or said panels to engage with the combined fastening device and holder.

6. The structure deiined by claim l, a transparent iiexible sheet spread upon the inner surfaces of the panels and having its edges united with the inwardly turned edges of the first said ileXible sheet while its intermediate part is free from the panels, said transparent sheet extending between the end Wall members and interinsdiate parts of the first said flexible sheet so the end walls are free and movable on their hinges.

7. A sanitary dining table service comprising a table-mat having parts adapted to be iiexed along parallel lines, and wall members of relatively stii sheet material and of tri-hexagonal outline, substantially as specified, these end Wall members having their outer edges hinged at opposite edges of said table-mat and movable outward through 90 so as to be turned from a parallel relation with said table-mat to positions at right angles thereto, the opposite ends of said table-mat being engageable with the edges of said end wall members to form a closed container when said table-mat is properly flexed along said lines, said table-mat having a slit therethrough, and a exible holder for matches or the like, said holder having one edge xed with relation to the table-mat, the other edge of said holder being insertable through said slit for holding the container closed.

8. The structure dened by claim 7, said tablemat having printed indicia on its upper surface, a transparent sheet through which the indicia is visible and by which it is protected, said transparent sheet having its edges united with the edges of the table-mat and covering said slit While extending under said end wall members so as to leave the latter free for being turned on their hinges.

9. In a table-mat which is convertible into a container, a flat .member composed of relatively rigid sections and parallel eXible parts, printed indicia on the relatively rigid parts, a transparent iiexible sheet through which the indicia is visible, the marginal parts of the transparent sheet being united with the marginal parts of said mat while the intermediate part of the transparent sheet is free from the mat, and end Wall members having their outer edges hinged at opposite edges of the mat and having all their other edges free so they are each independently adapted to lie upon the transparent sheet and to be swung on their hinges to positions for combining with the mat for forming a container, substantially as shown, for the purposes specified.

l0. A sanitary dining table service including a iiexible sheet, panels of relatively rigid sheet material secured on said flexible sheet in spaced relation to one another to permit bending or the flexible sheet along the edges of the panels, and end wall members each having one edge hinged to one of two opposite edges of said flexible sheet and having all other edges free so these Wall members are each independently adapted to be turned through 90 for combining with the ends of said panels for forming a receptacle which can be unfolded and spread by turning the end wall members inward so as to form a flat table mat or pad, the edges of said flexible sheet being turned inward and secured to the ends of certain ones of said panels and to said end wall members so as to form hinges for the latter and to conceal and protect the ends of the panels, substantially as shown.

GOTTLIEB GROSSEN. 

